Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Kansas UAS program tests drones for bridge, tower inspections

KDOT Aviation and Bridge Inspection teams use a UAS to get a closer look at a structure.

The new Kansas Unmanned Aerial Systems program started test flights last
Friday to find ways to use drones for bridge and tower inspections.

“Our Aviation and Bridge inspection teams are doing great work in testing
drones to enhance the safety of KDOT workers and improve cost efficiencies,” said
Acting Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson. “We believe UAS may reduce the
need to place our engineers in potentially dangerous situations and we intend to pursue
every opportunity that makes them more efficient.”

This is the first of several cooperative efforts KDOT is leading to employ new
UAS technologies that increase public safety.

“It’s important we keep safety and personal privacy our top priorities for this
program,” said KDOT’s UAS Director Bob Brock. “KDOT inspectors working directly
with UAS operators is an exciting first step that we will follow with many more flight tests
to ensure we meet the stringent requirements associated with bridge inspection.

“We also believe UAS is an industry that creates new jobs to help Kansas
graduates stay in Kansas, so we are working with universities and other state agencies
to investigate additional opportunities for engagement that will be announced in the
coming months,” he said.